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The BIG Picture Reduction in child deaths nationally since national training began 200 cases a year referred by schools in Ealing. Don’t know what we don’t know. NSPCC data,1 in 9 ? School staff, teaching and non-teaching, uniquely placed to spot possible abuse. SEN,LAC, FSM, EAL, CiN, Likely to come across cases in course of professional life

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Legal Framework School’s duty is to refer cases where investigation may be needed. Only social services and police can investigate. Education must co-operate. Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Every Child Matters “Working Together “ DFES circular Safeguarding and safer recruitment Key Guidance. Separate C P section in all school Ofsted reports …..and a limiting judgement

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Key Role of Designated Teacher The back of the wardrobe Where everybody knows your name map reading Knowing me,knowing you, ah ha!

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Thresholds Section 47 of the Children Act Is it a CiN or is it SAFE ? Time for a CAF Ealing’s Guidance document

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What is child abuse Most things are not, but how to distinguish normal marks,behaviour changes,and children in need from the early signs of abuse? Children Act identifies significant harm in 4 areas.They may overlap. Physical,sexual, emotional, and neglect. Role of ethnicity,culture,social class,personal experience

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Issues. Parents rights. Social ambivalence. Never did me any harm Sexual pre-occupation Drip feed,testing out, listening,example of other children. CHILD’S WELFARE PARAMOUNT IS THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF THE CHILDREN ACT

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Why Can Concerns be Missed Child may be intimidated, loyal, not know any different. Adults may worry about mistakes,parents rights.Identify with the stress. Making it worse, Breaking up families (less that 1% of children referred are removed from home ) Reprisals. Legal security,physical safety, Too understanding!

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Causes and their Treatment Causes. Stress,family psychology, dangerous people. Treatment. Reduce stress with support and monitoring Skilled psychological treatment of family dynamics Lock up and treat dangerous offenders

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Outcomes Outcome. Very good. Almost all children get an effective support package and come off the child protection register. Less that 1 % removed from home.Adults who were ill treated report that help was effective.

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Policy Dcsf and Ofsted requirement to have a policy. Content of a policy at appendix 3 of ofsted inspection guidance ( Sept 09 ) Model Policy on Teachernet

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Parents Second Principle of the children act is “work co-operatively with parents” Tell the parent about the referral unless it puts the child at risk. Decide with the social worker on who will say what and when to the parent. School has to talk to parent at some stage as usually a relationship will continue. A task for senior management.

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Disclosures School is one of the few if only place where pupils can disclose harm A listening culture and multiple avenues for disclosure are needed Staff may be tested with minor issues Information may be released in “installments “ Confidentiality cannot be promised, even if the incident was in the past Record and discuss with designated teacher asap

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Confidentiality No promise but a commitment to involve child in all that happens Explain the need to protect the pupil Age appropriate discussion Over emphasise and child may not disclose. Staff may feel uncomfortable In high school other pupils will be influenced to disclose or not by experience of peers

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Recording A separate cp file and a separate legal status Contains all papers …from a note of a teacher’s concern to conference minutes Index at front of file, all papers in date order Keep securely and a system to ensure other staff know of the file when needed. LAC, SEN, files to be up to date

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Recording continued When a child leaves a school either at normal transition date or in year the designated teacher must ensure that a copy of any child protection file is passed onto the designated teacher at the child’s new schoo Files may contain notes of any review of the pupils progress undertaken at school. l Files should include a note on which staff are told about a pupil’s case and why and any role they are to take in the response to the concern.